Shane Ross gone as Minister of Transport

And IMHO, thank goodness for that.

https://www.thejournal.ie/shane-ross-election-4999410-Feb2020/

A total focus on slapping penalty points on everything for motorists while totally ignoring the chaotic traffic jams, lack of investment in public transport, our disastrous and extortionate rail system, a pathetic electric charging system - the list is endless.

Feic off Shane- you've been a complete gombeen as a Transport Minister

oldsmokey

[Deleted User] wrote: »

And IMHO, thank goodness for that.

https://www.thejournal.ie/shane-ross-election-4999410-Feb2020/

A total focus on slapping penalty points on everything for motorists while totally ignoring the chaotic traffic jams, lack of investment in public transport, our disastrous and extortionate rail system, a pathetic electric charging system - the list is endless.

Feic off Shane- you've been a complete gombeen as a Transport Minister

Youre right, a rotten sod, good riddance

Cee-Jay-Cee

Absolutely no loss. Hopefully whoever has the ministry next has a semblance of intelligence and realises Ireland is largely rural where people depend on their cars as there is no public transport .

KaneToad

[Deleted User] wrote: »

And IMHO, thank goodness for that.

https://www.thejournal.ie/shane-ross-election-4999410-Feb2020/

A total focus on slapping penalty points on everything for motorists while totally ignoring the chaotic traffic jams, lack of investment in public transport, our disastrous and extortionate rail system, a pathetic electric charging system - the list is endless.

Feic off Shane- you've been a complete gombeen as a Transport Minister

I won't miss him. However I do agree with the stance he took against drink driving.

lawred2

Good riddance. Hadn't a clue of any of his briefs. Complete poser. When will we have a competent transport minister?

Atlantic Dawn

His 'tireless work' around the recent NCT crisis said it all really.

ianobrien

lawred2 wrote: »

When will we have a competent transport minister?

A competent politician? Don't make me laugh
(Sorry mods for besmirching the forum by mentioning Politics)

KaneToad

KaneToad wrote: »

I won't miss him. However I do agree with the stance he took against drink driving.

OK, so I'm going to be totally honest here.

I did have, in my list before pressing send, his focus on bringing the limit down on alcohol as a neagitve-

i felt it went too far if I'm honest because my belief is that more should be done on education of future drivers and current drivers in all aspects of road safety, including alcohol, instead of penalising and making criminals out of people who have alcohol levels that no longer really impact on road safety deaths- more on education, maybe even a mandatory short online course for ALL drivers to keep their licence - but I took it out of my post as I felt that would become the only aspect of this thread.

My own opinion of Shane, is that he lacked any imagination and forward thinking- both on alcohol limits and everything else- he took a "Green Party" approach- tax and penalise as opposed to innovate and encourage behavioural change.

I was happy with his push on drunk driving and more penalty points but he left it at that when far more work was needed in other areas. A poor minister overall.

lawred2

Jesus of all the things to criticise Ross for, I didn't have cracking down on drink driving as one of them

GreeBo

Deleted User wrote: »

OK, so I'm going to be totally honest here.

I did have, in my list before pressing send, his focus on bringing the limit down on alcohol as a neagitve-

i felt it went too far if I'm honest because my belief is that more should be done on education of future drivers and current drivers in all aspects of road safety, including alcohol, instead of penalising and making criminals out of people who have alcohol levels that no longer really impact on road safety deaths- more on education, maybe even a mandatory short online course for ALL drivers to keep their licence - but I took it out of my post as I felt that would become the only aspect of this thread.

My own opinion of Shane, is that he lacked any imagination and forward thinking- both on alcohol limits and everything else- he took a "Green Party" approach- tax and penalise as opposed to innovate and encourage behavioural change.

Who exactly still needs to be educated on drink driving?
And why?

one world order

Power got to his head. Disliked by everyone but he won't care.

GreeBo

GreeBo wrote: »

Who exactly still needs to be educated on drink driving?
And why?

Anyone who still gets into a car with over-limits on them- which happens every day- continuous education and reinforcement is much better than just penalise and prosecute (keeps the barrister in business) - educate, educate, educate- regular and often - but Shane had no imagination on that aspect.

Fritzbox

It was Ross's campaigning to reopen Stepaside Garda station which really yanked my chain...

Ubbquittious

Alright so when's the party?

The world's smallest violin has been dusted off. Oxbridge will have to take him back in, if the accent is still plummy enough.

maxwell smart

In fairness I think that he will use an electric car on his way to the sign on, so that's something isn't it?

Spanish Eyes

Let's not focus on the man for a minute, but on his policies.

I think he tried, but the Healy Rae faction on drink driving in rural Ireland did him in somehow.

Great little country, but a pity he didn't ban cars (gradually) from Dublin CC or insist on GoPro on Buses for bus lane incursions etc. Can't understand that. But I am sure there is a huge layer of bureaucracy between the Gardai and TFI and the Minister going on.

I'm a driver and use the car anywhere except CC. Not worth it anymore unless it is an emergency. Taxi works but PT is definitely rubbish. So I suppose I should just shut up now, correct?

Ubbquittious

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Let's not focus on the man for a minute, but on his policies.

I think he tried, but the Healy Rae faction on drink driving in rural Ireland did him in somehow.

Great little country, but a pity he didn't ban cars (gradually) from Dublin CC or insist on GoPro on Buses for bus lane incursions etc. Can't understand that. But I am sure there is a huge layer of bureaucracy between the Gardai and TFI and the Minister going on.

I'm a driver and use the car anywhere except CC. Not worth it anymore unless it is an emergency. Taxi works but PT is definitely rubbish. So I suppose I should just shut up now, correct?

CC, PT, TFI? What the duece?

Ubbquittious

Ubbquittious wrote: »

Alright so when's the party?

Your place- NOW! :P

(What's the code to the wine cellar again?) (btw- I'm not driving for the next week )

Spanish Eyes

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Let's not focus on the man for a minute, but

Eh, it was all about "the man"- he got his TD ticket because he saw himself as "the man".

He failed- as "the man"- that's it.

Ubbquittious

Deleted User wrote: »

Your place- NOW! :P

(What's the code to the wine cellar again?) (btw- I'm not driving for the next week )

Fidelio.

Victor

Deleted User wrote: »

Shane Ross gone as Minister of Transport

While he is going as a TD, ministers are still ministers until they are replaced.

Isambard

GreeBo wrote: »

Who exactly still needs to be educated on drink driving?
And why?

Healy-Rae?

GreeBo

Deleted User wrote: »

Anyone who still gets into a car with over-limits on them- which happens every day- continuous education and reinforcement is much better than just penalise and prosecute (keeps the barrister in business) - educate, educate, educate- regular and often - but Shane had no imagination on that aspect.

So you think there are people who aren't aware that its dangerous/illegal and just need to be told that it is?


Why can't these same people learn from the penalties and prosecution?

I honestly dont understand your point here.

It’s not a good election with SF doing well but Ross gone is one massive positive with his draconian and needless law changes to drink driving and other offences and his attempt to bring in that insane speeding law which will hopefully go in the bin along with him.

rustynutz

GreeBo wrote: »

So you think there are people who aren't aware that its dangerous/illegal and just need to be told that it is?


Why can't these same people learn from the penalties and prosecution?

I honestly dont understand your point here.

I for one think his lowering the drink drive limit was a mistake. I don't condone drink driving, but lowering the limit meant that if you were out the night before, you were likely still over the limit well into the following afternoon. Take a wedding for example, if you stay the night in a hotel, you are usually only allowed to stay until 12 noon (at the latest) the next day. With the new lower limit most would still fail a breathalyser, while being perfectly safe to drive.

At the time he should have made a point of enforcing the limit that was in place, rather than meddling with the limit in order to generate headlines.

i57dwun4yb1pt8

The Toss of Ross,

sounds like some 17th century battle

Zubeneschamali

lawred2 wrote: »

Jesus of all the things to criticise Ross for, I didn't have cracking down on drink driving as one of them

I would love a crack down on drink driving.

But lowering the limit on paper is not a crack down. Cracking down would involve Garda resources deployed to catch drivers who are 2 or three times over the limit between 10 pm and 4 am, not a focus on people who are between the new 50 and the old 80 limit.

CrookedJack

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

I would love a crack down on drink driving.

But lowering the limit on paper is not a crack down. Cracking down would involve Garda resources deployed to catch drivers who are 2 or three times over the limit between 10 pm and 4 am, not a focus on people who are between the new 50 and the old 80 limit.

Stupid comment - do you think they just waved people over .80 past.
"you're alright mate, Shane Ross really wants to stick it to the mildly drunk - you're hammered so on your way!"

Just admit you want to be able to have a pint and drive, rather than climbing on this bizarre moral high ground.

Zubeneschamali

CrookedJack wrote: »

Stupid comment - do you think they just waved people over .80 past.

No, I think they made a lot of noise about changing the limit on paper.

Since most people who actually have accidents while over the limit are WAY over the limit, this paper change had no effect at all.

There are basically no road checks for drink driving - I have been breathalysed once in 35 years driving, the only people who get done are the people in crashes who don't run away before being tested.

The number of convictions is less than one per pub per year - we all know they could catch more than one per night per pub if they tried.

The Satanist

rustynutz wrote: »

Take a wedding for example, if you stay the night in a hotel, you are usually only allowed to stay until 12 noon (at the latest) the next day. With the new lower limit most would still fail a breathalyser, while being perfectly safe to drive.

You could always go for lunch, have a walk and ponder your drinking habits.

Zubeneschamali

And just to be clear, if they got the drink-driving and crashing at above 200 and then 100 under control, I would be fine with them reducing the limit to 50, 25, 10, 5.

But doing the second while not even trying to address the first is not a crack down, it is just PR.

Timestamped

Are there any stats on drunk drivers blood alcohol level when involved in accidents?

billie1b

maxwell smart wrote: »

In fairness I think that he will use an electric car on his way to the sign on, so that's something isn't it?

Not unless he does lessons and gets a licence, as the current Minister for Transport he does not hold any sort of vehicular licence

TigerTim

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

There are basically no road checks for drink driving - I have been breathalysed once in 35 years driving, the only people who get done are the people in crashes who don't run away before being tested.

You beat me. Driving 40 years & never been breathalyzed or asked for a licence. Probably get stopped tonight:).

I liked Shane Ross for some reason when he was on Matt Cooper show but once he got into power my view completely changed.

T.

Zubeneschamali

Timestamped wrote: »

Are there any stats on drunk drivers blood alcohol level when involved in accidents?

They try hard not to release them because they don't support current policy, but I did see a report back in 2008. The original is no longer online, but here are the figures I quoted from it on boards when it still was available:


"Blood Alcohol levels in killed drivers":

Not recorded : 35%

Zero: 26%
1-19: 2%
20-49: 3%
50-80: 3%
81-159: 9%
160-239: 12%
240+: 9%

At that time, 3 times as many died while more than three times the 80 limit as between 50-80.

So they introduced the 50 limit instead of enforcing the old one.

Zubeneschamali

TigerTim wrote: »

You beat me. Driving 40 years & never been breathalyzed

The only time I was breathalyzed was at 4pm on an ordinary Saturday afternoon driving out of Dublin.

Because it is well known that drink drivers go on a bender on a Saturday morning and then drive home after lunch.

CrankyHaus

Regardless of the drink-driving laws Ross passed his general performance as Minister for Transport has been poor. On pretty much every issue that required action from the Minister for Transport he hasn't delivered. I got the impression he only wanted to be Minister for Sport, where in fairness he did face down the FAI's deeply flawed leadership and culture, and saw Transport as an irritance.

Tazzimus

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Great little country, but a pity he didn't ban cars (gradually) from Dublin CC or insist on GoPro on Buses for bus lane incursions etc.

I'd be in favour of a London style congestion charge in Dublin, but only with the PT to back it up.
Also, fairly sure buses already have a few external cameras on them.

User1998

TigerTim wrote: »

You beat me. Driving 40 years & never been breathalyzed or asked for a licence. Probably get stopped tonight:).

I liked Shane Ross for some reason when he was on Matt Cooper show but once he got into power my view completely changed.

T.

My parents are the same yet I’ve been driving only 4 years and been breathalysed twice

Odyssey 2005

Ubbquittious wrote: »

Alright so when's the party?

In Healey Raes pub. You can drive home

Odyssey 2005

maxwell smart wrote: »

In fairness I think that he will use an electric car on his way to the sign on, so that's something isn't it?

No,but it would be something if he electrocuted himself plugging it in

ednwireland

Tazzimus wrote: »

I'd be in favour of a London style congestion charge in Dublin, but only with the PT to back it up.
Also, fairly sure buses already have a few external cameras on them.

the only reason they could do do that in London was because the public transport was there to back it up. all it would be in dublin is a cash grab

as for ross- no loss

Tazzimus

ednwireland wrote: »

the only reason they could do do that in London was because the public transport was there to back it up. all it would be in dublin is a cash grab

as for ross- no loss

Yep, which is why I said only with the PT to back it up.
At present, we're nowhere near being able to do it successfully.

kirving

Timestamped wrote: »

Are there any stats on drunk drivers blood alcohol level when involved in accidents?

RSA stats would be laughable if they weren't so serious. Junior cert stuff for the most part. They don't/won't release stats that don't fit the agenda.

Lowering the limit to nothing just stops conscientious people from having a pint with their dinner, but they were never going to crash anyway.

Actual enforcement of meaningful limits would have the public on side, rather than the current situation where people feel sorry for those caught.

Gods Gift

He put most of his energy into his sport portfolio.

GNWoodd

When the automatic disqualification for being over the limit was being debated in the Seanad, Ross in his reply to David Norris quoted stats that were years out of date
Will the law be changed back to that pertaining prior to October 2018 or will it take a challenge through the Courts by someone who could prove they weren't impaired yet were disqualified ?

Odyssey 2005

Hes still at it

GreeBo

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

They try hard not to release them because they don't support current policy, but I did see a report back in 2008. The original is no longer online, but here are the figures I quoted from it on boards when it still was available:


"Blood Alcohol levels in killed drivers":

Not recorded : 35%

Zero: 26%
1-19: 2%
20-49: 3%
50-80: 3%
81-159: 9%
160-239: 12%
240+: 9%

At that time, 3 times as many died while more than three times the 80 limit as between 50-80.

So they introduced the 50 limit instead of enforcing the old one.

Thats just people who died, what about accidents in general?

TigerTim wrote: »

You beat me. Driving 40 years & never been breathalyzed or asked for a licence. Probably get stopped tonight:).

I've been breathalyzed 5 times in 15 years, does my point negate yours now?

GreeBo

rustynutz wrote: »

I for one think his lowering the drink drive limit was a mistake. I don't condone drink driving, but lowering the limit meant that if you were out the night before, you were likely still over the limit well into the following afternoon. Take a wedding for example, if you stay the night in a hotel, you are usually only allowed to stay until 12 noon (at the latest) the next day. With the new lower limit most would still fail a breathalyser, while being perfectly safe to drive.

At the time he should have made a point of enforcing the limit that was in place, rather than meddling with the limit in order to generate headlines.

"perfectly safe to drive"?
Says who?